Reselling tips and advice

[hipnetic]

deeddawg, very, very well said. Could not agree more. I know that a lot of people look at us flippers/resellers as scum but, as you said, this is a luxury item. NO ONE buying this is hurting in any way. Along the lines of your comments...we're not selling water to people who have been suffering through a drought, or food to those who are impoverished. We're selling a luxury item, the iPad 2. NO ONE *NEEDS* this thing. It's a temporary *WANT* situation. Those who *MUST HAVE* it, or who feel incredibly angered by what we're doing should perhaps examine themselves and their own priorities.

I'd love to unwrap the one I'm currently in possession of and play with it. My wife (who I really bought it for) thinks more clearly about it. "Meh, I can wait 4-5 weeks if it means you can resell this and subsidize the price of the one you'll get me." (Maybe in not so many words, but that's her general perspective).

For those who are angered by the reseller situation and who may have been thus far unable to find an iPad 2, I'm curious: Which iPad 2 feature, exactly, is it that you *NEED* to have in less than 4-5 weeks?

 

[deeddawg]

Counterfeit pen? More details please.

Any office depot or staples or similar will have these. They are pens that when you mark a bill will tell you if it is real or not.

http://www.staples.com/Dri-Mark-Cou...e:Office_Supplies:Cash_Handling:450130:351B24

 

[Apple OC]

"Black market" would not be a proper term to use in this case, as there's nothing illegal going on here.

If you have a Business Licence, are providing receipts, collecting Tax and actually claiming the income on your Tax returns when you resell these iPads then you are correct in being an Entrepreneur.

If not ... you are then part of the "Black Market"

 

[funkeruski]

I know what the frustration is with resellers. However, it does allow someone to acquire an iPad who has a life, job, etc. and doesn't have the time to stand in a line day after day at the Apple store. I am shocked by people who are waiting in line day after day for hours on end for an iPad. Why don't they just pony up $150 extra and buy one on eBay? I guess their time isn't very valuable.

 

[mooseknuckles]

moving units

I have moved multiple units over the past week, both on ebay and CL. Do not come off of your price, you have what they want. If you go the eBay route, set it high, use "buy it now" with immediate payment via paypal and you should be fine.

If you are exchanging a high dollar item locally, get a counterfeit pen! A pack of 3 is less the $10 dollars at Staples! All the other advice is great, do not go alone and make sure you are meeting in a public space that has cameras. What you are doing is NOT illegal!

Lastly I strongly encourage you and any other American to practice their second amendment right. Get training, practice, practice, practice and apply for a concealed carry permit. It is only for your own safety and I hope that you nor anyone else will ever need to use it. Like a seat belt or bike helmet, it does you no good if you leave it at home or do not put it on.

Local CL transactions where you demand cash only usually go great. I have found almost all of the local buyers sending them to Dubai and Kuwait. Everyone will try to get something for nothing and walk all over you. If this is not for you, no worries. Sell it to another MR member for a fair price and call it good. Everybody wins!

To the haters, do not be mad that we are the ones willing to get out of bed a little earlier. Or that we check the local inventory early every morning. You too have the same opportunity! I often beat the "usual suspects" "stereotypical scalper" to the front of the line or the door. I am not lazy. Do I need to do this, no. I have a family and a career. Why do I do it...I love the thrill of the hunt and new toys never get old.

Play safe and do not be naive!

 

[mooseknuckles]

I know what the frustration is with resellers. However, it does allow someone to acquire an iPad who has a life, job, etc. and doesn't have the time to stand in a line day after day at the Apple store. I am shocked by people who are waiting in line day after day for hours on end for an iPad. Why don't they just pony up $150 extra and buy one on eBay? I guess their time isn't very valuable.

THIS!!! Well said!

 

[benhollberg]

When you get some go talk to the Asians in the line at Apple stores. They'll give you the best offer. At least here where they always give me a great offer.

 

[PoleMan14]

I wouldn't resell one again. Ended up just being a pain. Bought an extra 16gb white verizon model on Wednesday. In NYC and thought it would be an easy flip on craigs list. 684 after tax, listed it for 800.

After seeing the lines online and in the paper, I thought people would be jumping all over it. Wrong. Listed it on Wednesday, no responses. Listed it again on Thursday...guy offered me $500. Listed it again on Friday...nothing. Looked into putting it on ebay. Ebay fees and paypal fees would have been 65 and 15 respectively...then I need to make it to the post office monday.

Guy ended up responding to a craigs list post on Saturday and we met in public shortly after that...waited for 45 mins while he was in traffic...then he was surprised it was white and verizon (put that in the ad title and description) so I ended up feeling bad he wasn't getting what he expected.

Ended up making $100 on it...definitely didn't feel like "easy money"...

 

[Meanee]

I do a lot of business on eBay. And eBay has a thing of treating sellers like a lying, thieving scum. And they will kiss Buyers' asses. This means that if buyer opens up a case against you, eBay will immediately place the money on hold, pending investigation. Typically, they rule in favor of buyer, meaning you will be out of iPad, out of money.

Not all is lost. When shipping an item like this, make sure you do following

- Use proper shipping company. Do NOT send it via USPS.
- Make sure that signature is required for the shipment.
- Save original receipt.
- Take photos of the box before shipment, showing that shrink wrap is intact.
- Make sure that device's serial number is captured on photos.
- Take photos of the packaging. Show that item is securely packed.

This will more or less sway PayPal/eBay investigation in your favor.

Now, considering I know these things, here's the ultimate dick move that I can pull, if I would buy one.

1) Order iPad on eBay
2) Once I receive it, open a case saying "Significantly not as described"
3) Work out the thing with PayPal/eBay after case is escalated
4) Since PayPal/eBay will ask me to ship the item back, I would pack bunch of copy paper in the box and ship it back, with tracking number
5) Once PayPal verifies delivery, they will refund me my money. I get to keep iPad and my money.

In this case, seller can call eBay, start bunch of appeals, and MAYBE, just MAYBE get his money back. Remember, to eBay, you are a seller, you are equal to a petty thief in their eyes.

Additionally, eBay requires hefty fees for selling. You will pay about $1 for listing the item, 10 cents for offering "Buy It Now". Fees start adding up if you want bold text, a frame around your listing, etc. Considering how popular iPad is, chances are you won't need it. But eBay also charges about 9% "Final Value Fee", which applies only when you sell an item. So, selling iPad for 1k will result in about $101 in bill from eBay. PayPal will also keep a small percentage of the money as a transaction fee.

Let me know if you have any more questions about eBay selling process. I sold over 5k items on eBay, and guess I can help.

 

[PoleMan14]

I do a lot of business on eBay. And eBay has a thing of treating sellers like a lying, thieving scum. And they will kiss Buyers' asses. This means that if buyer opens up a case against you, eBay will immediately place the money on hold, pending investigation. Typically, they rule in favor of buyer, meaning you will be out of iPad, out of money.

Not all is lost. When shipping an item like this, make sure you do following

- Use proper shipping company. Do NOT send it via USPS.
- Make sure that signature is required for the shipment.
- Save original receipt.
- Take photos of the box before shipment, showing that shrink wrap is intact.
- Make sure that device's serial number is captured on photos.
- Take photos of the packaging. Show that item is securely packed.

This will more or less sway PayPal/eBay investigation in your favor.

Now, considering I know these things, here's the ultimate dick move that I can pull, if I would buy one.

1) Order iPad on eBay
2) Once I receive it, open a case saying "Significantly not as described"
3) Work out the thing with PayPal/eBay after case is escalated
4) Since PayPal/eBay will ask me to ship the item back, I would pack bunch of copy paper in the box and ship it back, with tracking number
5) Once PayPal verifies delivery, they will refund me my money. I get to keep iPad and my money.

In this case, seller can call eBay, start bunch of appeals, and MAYBE, just MAYBE get his money back. Remember, to eBay, you are a seller, you are equal to a petty thief in their eyes.

Additionally, eBay requires hefty fees for selling. You will pay about $1 for listing the item, 10 cents for offering "Buy It Now". Fees start adding up if you want bold text, a frame around your listing, etc. Considering how popular iPad is, chances are you won't need it. But eBay also charges about 9% "Final Value Fee", which applies only when you sell an item. So, selling iPad for 1k will result in about $101 in bill from eBay. PayPal will also keep a small percentage of the money as a transaction fee.

Let me know if you have any more questions about eBay selling process. I sold over 5k items on eBay, and guess I can help.

6. Seller takes a road trip to buyers shipping address.
7. ...

 

[Meanee]

6. Seller takes a road trip to buyers shipping address.
7. ...

8. Cops arrest seller for #7.

I've been screwed on eBay, but overall, I make enough money to live comfortably. Win some, lose some. I did, on multiple occasions, ponder about sending a nice "care package" from poopsenders.com

 

[mypants]

...But eBay also charges about 9% "Final Value Fee", which applies only when you sell an item. So, selling iPad for 1k will result in about $101 in bill from eBay.

that 9% fee is capped at $50 though for items under $1000

 

[Meanee]

that 9% fee is capped at $50 though for items under $1000

Thanks, didn't know. Never maxed out my FVF.

 

[jenlevin]

Now, considering I know these things, here's the ultimate dick move that I can pull, if I would buy one.

1) Order iPad on eBay
2) Once I receive it, open a case saying "Significantly not as described"
3) Work out the thing with PayPal/eBay after case is escalated
4) Since PayPal/eBay will ask me to ship the item back, I would pack bunch of copy paper in the box and ship it back, with tracking number
5) Once PayPal verifies delivery, they will refund me my money. I get to keep iPad and my money.

had this done to me recently. (not for an ipad, but a $500 or so cell phone..). filed police report, uploaded it to paypal, got refunded within two days.

 

[mypants]

police report is key

had this done to me recently. (not for an ipad, but a $500 or so cell phone..). filed police report, uploaded it to paypal, got refunded within two days.

The key to making that work is filing the police report.
Filing a false police report is a big deal so PayPal weighs the fact that you actually filed very heavily.

One other tip is to keep track of the exact weight of the item you sent.
If you get the "item" returned to you, immediately weigh it or make sure the shipping has some record of the exact weight if possible. If there is a difference, this will bolster your case.

 

[Bartman01]

There's nothing wrong with haggling, but $180 just isn't worth it.

You very well could have gotten that $1000 if you had waited/been a little more firm.

Remember, it's a seller's market. After the international release, expect prices to skyrocket.

LOL - yes, hang on it to for another week or two and prices will 'skyrocket' as the rest of the world gets local access to the devices and supply starts to level out.